indescribableCats wind up in shelters for a lot of reasons, and very few of them are "because s/he was a bad cat." People lose their jobs, or move away and don't take their pets. Kids leave for college. People die. People lose the wherewithal to feed themselves, much less an extra, meowing mouth. And in all of these cases the cats, who have no idea what's going on, wind up suffering for it.
Amazing cats come from shelters. Adult cats who don't need to be trained; kittens who have all the world in front of them. Cats whose personalities are already plain when you meet them, making it so much easier to find the right cat for you. Cats who need you.
I've been very upfront about why none of my current cats are from shelters, and why my lifestyle and emotional needs are better met by reputable breeders. But if you don't fall into this category, and feel that there might be a cat-shaped hole in your life, go and take a look at your local shelter.
This post brought to you by the California Dammit Why Can't I Take Junebug Home Oh Yeah Alice Would Kill Her To Death Committee.
June 9 2012, 20:45:30 UTC 5 years ago Edited: June 9 2012, 20:45:59 UTC
In April, I went to the local humane society and fell in love with an adorable black furball, now in residence on my knee. (Well, actually, she's jammed into the corner of the chair. She has the weirdest sleeping positions.) She'll be a year old this summer solstice, and she spent more of her life before I adopted her in the humane society than anywhere else.
Other than occasionally almost tripping over her in the dark, Astra and I do splendidly. (She is one of those cats who thinks adoration includes twining around your ankles. In a black cat, this does present some logistical challenges.)
June 9 2012, 21:05:52 UTC 5 years ago
June 9 2012, 21:13:33 UTC 5 years ago
I had a black kitty with white paws & belly show up on my side porch. (Little white spot on her nose too.) This was a couple months ago. She wasn't full-grown yet -- about 9 months old or so. She showed up when I really needed a kitty. In fact, she showed up on a week when it was work not to cry my eyes out.
I didn't have kibble. I didn't have anything. She was just very insistant that she was hungry and wanted to come in. I gave her tuna & she devoured it. I named her Vashta after the devouring shadow creatures in "The Silence in the Library" episode of Doctor Who. She's my sweetheart now.
But she DOES like to show her love by twining around my ankles. And she's mostly black. So I hear you on the ... logistical challenges.
June 9 2012, 23:18:23 UTC 5 years ago